The deterrent effect must have been acute for the boys. Fran states that it had a significant effect on girls who were not at risk of such punishments, but surely those that were at risk must have found the experience profound?
This method of public caning has not fallen totally out of favour. Schools in the far east would appear to practise this method frequently. Unlike earlier times in the UK it seems the more serious the crime the more likely a boy is to be caned in public. Incidentally it is reported that female offenders are made to wear a coloured vest for a set period of time instead of being caned. Unlike their judicial system, the school system seems to have much to commend it.